He said the Government was seriously concerned about "allegations" of recent gang violence that include a student being shot, the fire-bombing of a high school vice-principal's car and a student taking a 9mm-calibre pistol to school to protect his drug dealing activities.

Mr Costa said he did not want to be alarmist. There were problems with violence in schools, but that was a "long way from saying we've got a gang crisis", he said.");document.write("

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He admitted the "ball was dropped at Cabramatta" when the Government ignored warnings in February last year by the then detective-sergeant Tim Priest that ethnic gangs were recruiting members in schools and would "tear the city apart".

The task force was formed last week after a crisis meeting between senior police and the principals or deputy principals from five high schools - Bossley Park, Chester Hill, Canley Vale, Bonnyrigg and St Johns Park. Cabramatta and Prairiewood high schools did not attend.

Mr Costa said he would not describe school violence as gang-related, nor did he believe gangs were recruiting in schools. Gang members attended high schools, but most problems with gangs happened outside schools, he said. "I think there is an emerging problem which we want to nip in the bud"

The task force will comprise Deputy Police Commissioner David Madden and the Education Department's assistant director-general (secondary), Hetty Cislowski. They will consider setting up a telephone hotline so principals can "directly contact senior police for serious incidents". It would also help intelligence sharing among police commands.